Respiratory Diseases in Children: studies in general practice

Luchtwegaandoeningen bij kinderen: onderzoek in de huisartsenpraktijk

The work presented in this thesis covers various aspects of the
epidemiology, diagnosis and management of various respiratory symptoms and diseases in children frequently encountered in general practice. These respiratory tract symptoms and diseases can be categorized into symptoms and diseases of the upper respiratory tract (ENT problems, including cough, earache, sore throat, otitis media, tonsillitis), and symptoms and diseases of the lower airways (e.g. cough, wheezing, dyspnoea, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma). The general aim of this work was to provide information for optimizing the care for children with respiratory symptoms and diseases in general practice. We have provided epidemiological data about respiratory symptoms and diseases in children, and examined the general practitioners' (GPs)
management with respect to medication prescribing and referring these children to specialist care. The study aims were achieved by examining data from the second Dutch National Survey of General Practice, the Netherlands Information Network of General Practice, the Dutch National Medical Registration, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.